“Without realizing it, Changgen’s strength has become so astonishing, much more composed than when he faced the Beast Clan back then.”

Quantong watched the situation beneath the Primal Yellow Pagoda, his eyes full of emotion.

Moving alongside Quantong, Duobao Daoist naturally knew the background of this Jade Emperor’s avatar. Though he didn’t directly call him Uncle Master, he was very courteous at this moment.

After all, the fate of the three sects facing this tribulation was, to a certain degree, in this Jade Emperor’s hands.

Duobao Daoist smiled and said: “Junior Brother Changgen has exceptional comprehension. Today’s achievements are the result of his efforts.”

“Indeed, his comprehension has always been good.”

Quantong clasped his hands behind his back, his eyes showing traces of reminiscence as he spoke calmly:

“When Changgen first came to the Heavenly Court, the Jade Emperor was quite puzzled.

At that time, the Heavenly Court was destitute, with only a lonely ruler and few officials depending on each other for survival. Few in the Primordial World knew of the Heavenly Court; when mentioned, it was merely that the Six Sages had once done something there.

Before was the Beast Court overthrown by humanity, after were countless immortal sects standing together in Central Divine Continent – how awkward was the Heavenly Court’s position?

It was Changgen who believed in the Heavenly Court, throwing himself into it without hesitation, step by step leading the Heavenly Court to where it is today.”

Duobao Daoist smiled with squinted eyes, though in his heart he very much wanted to say…

If one traced back Changgen’s growth trajectory from this point, this fellow probably knew early on that the Heavenly Court would become the initiator of this great tribulation, and mixed into the Heavenly Court in advance to avoid calamity.

Must be a misconception, surely a misconception.

“Everything was arranged by Grand Master Uncle.”

“The Three Pure Ones of the Dao Gate are truly Sages.”

Afterward, the Jade Emperor’s avatar and Duobao Daoist smiled at each other, everything was understood without words.

In the area covered by the Primal Yellow Pagoda, several more fierce demons fell to Li Changshou’s spear. By now Li Changshou was bathed in blood, with several wounds on his body.

After the battle armor formed of immortal power was shattered, it revealed muscles like old tree roots. His disheveled hair danced wildly, resembling a demon god.

Yang Jian: …

He finally understood what had happened when he was knocked onto the clouds before.

He took back his previous words about being able to catch up to the current Star Lord of Taibai after several hundred years of cultivation – too arrogant, not knowing the heights of heaven and the depths of the earth.

He had even heard others say he was some child of the great tribulation, protected by great fortune, destined to shine brightly in the future.

No chance to shine, no opportunity, forget about it.

If Yang Jian had to say something at this moment, the two words that came to mind were ‘farewell.’

If Yang Jian had to do something here, he would quietly take out a recording orb he had prepared earlier.

—As a professional Heavenly Court recorder, such treasures for capturing extraordinary scenes were essential.

When he returned to Mount Mei, he would open his exclusive bronze mirror and release this scene, adding a voice-over like Bian Zhuang:

‘Heavenly Court Entertainment, Heavenly Court Entertainment, this is Recorder Yang Jian. What I’m presenting to you now is a precious battle recording.

Star-Lord of Taibai battling fourteen foreign demons.

Yes, that one wearing the face armor, fighting with demons amidst streaks of primal yellow essence, is our beloved chief civil official of the Heavenly Court, Star-Lord Li Changgen.

Don’t believe it?

Honestly, I don’t believe it either. Feels like I’m in a dream – that kindly old immortal with such a benevolent face, tearing off his clothes with a roar and charging in.

Of the Heavenly Court’s total battle power of ten measures, Star-Lord of Taibai accounts for six, the civil officials for five, and the military officers negative one…’

“Nephew? Nephew? Yang Jian?”

“Disciple is here!”

Yang Jian lost in thought, immediately responded and made a Daoist salute to True Lord Taiyi with clasped hands.

Taiyi smiled and said gently: “Has Changgen’s heroic bearing affected your Dao’s heart?”

True Lord Yuding also looked over with concern.

Yang Jian gave a bitter laugh, not knowing how to respond.

Yuding said: “No need to compare with others, the Dao is true only to oneself.”

“Yes, disciple understands.”

Yang Jian acknowledged, but his mood couldn’t immediately return to normal.

Just then, an unexpected change occurred in the area covered by the Primal Yellow Pagoda.

Li Changshou was in the heat of battle, his Dao body seemingly gradually activating, growing stronger as he fought – unstoppable. That small Soul-Reaving Spear seemed to merge with his arm, advancing and shifting without pause.

Pure physical combat made his blood boil with excitement.

So, Li Changshou took out several magical treasures and raised these long-dusty items one by one.

Most eye-catching among them was a purple and white large gourd – Lu Ya’s Immortal-Slaying Flying Knife.

This killing treasure, famous even in his old home, Li Changshou wouldn’t forget. He was still thinking of using multiple identities to cause trouble during the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation, and this great gourd was an important prop.

Over these years, he had been refining this gourd. Though he hadn’t much communication with Yi’s spirit essence sealed within the gourd, he had figured out most of its complex structure.

Now was a good time to bring it out and test its effectiveness.

Thus, Li Changshou watched for an opening and held the Immortal-Slaying Flying Knife in his left hand. The gourd’s mouth spewed white mist, condensing into a pair of sharp eyes and brows.

The seven or eight black shadows, already suppressed by Li Changshou, simultaneously felt their spiritual senses jump wildly and immediately scattered to dodge.

Li Changshou activated the gourd treasure, having those eyes and brows fix upon one of the humanoid beings of lower cultivation who had already been wounded by his spear, and called out lightly:

“Please turn around, treasure!”

Swift as lightning, those eyes and brows first glared at that shadow, shooting out two red lines from their eyes that locked onto that person’s Primordial Spirit, making their form shake, almost fainting.

Without warning, those eyes and brows suddenly turned in the direction, the gourd’s mouth spewing a white light directly at Li Changshou’s forehead!

At this moment, for unknown reasons, Li Changshou, who had been hiding three zhang away from the great gourd, quickly threw a punch. His fist met the white light head-on, instantly shattering it.

Blood splattered as a wound deep enough to see bone appeared on Li Changshou’s left fist knuckles. He frowned at the suddenly ‘rebellious’ great gourd.

In this instant, he wanted to destroy this famous treasure of the Investiture.

But ultimately he held back, two streams of Yin and Yang qi surging from his sleeve to forcefully seal the Immortal-Slaying Flying Knife and pull it back to his hand.

This turn of events truly made the various Dao immortals frown. Fairy Yunxiao couldn’t help wanting to come forward to check Li Changshou’s injuries, while the remaining seven ‘escaped’ experts were somewhat unable to recover their senses.

The demons here were all vicious characters from the Primordial World who had fled into the Chaos Sea when they could no longer stay in the Primordial World.

They reacted quickly – seeing Li Changshou thwarted by his own magical treasure, how could they let such an opportunity pass?

They raised magical treasures and unleashed divine abilities. Some even ignited their Primordial Spirit power, intending to launch their strongest wave of attacks at Li Changshou, hoping to fight to the death and seek a chance for survival in desperate circumstances.

However, Li Changshou’s attention was now drawn to the Immortal-Slaying Flying Knife. Having achieved his several objectives for taking action, he was unwilling to waste more time.

His right hand released the small Soul-Reaving Spear and raised high, black and white light silently blooming as the Primordial Treasure Taiji Diagram expanded to several hundred zhang in diameter, covering above Li Changshou’s head, effortlessly penetrating through the essence scattered by the Primal Yellow Pagoda.

Li Changshou’s gaze swept across as he calmly said: “Seal.”

As soon as the words fell, the remaining seven shadows almost simultaneously stopped moving.

Divine abilities were nullified, magical treasures lost their spiritual nature, burning Primordial Spirits were instantly bound by Yin and Yang qi, and rapidly advancing forms were immediately frozen in space.

The might of the Taiji Diagram was terrifyingly overwhelming!

Of course, it was terrifying…

Li Changshou silently took out a bottle of pills from his sleeve and poured them into his mouth, strongly enduring his mental exhaustion while maintaining an air of effortless grace.

The price of actively using the Taiji Diagram was having eight-tenths of his internal immortal power instantly drained, and his spirit nearly burst by the Taiji’s Yin and Yang intent.

It looked cool but wasn’t a treasure he could utilize at his current stage.

‘This is the difference in strength between myself and the Great Master.’

Then thinking about how even Senior Brother Xuandu was somewhat dragged down when unleashing the Taiji Diagram…

Master Taiqing’s strength was truly terrifying.

Li Changshou sighed inwardly, putting aside distracting thoughts, and withdrew Lord Pagoda. Several figures immediately appeared around him.

…

Within the Primordial World’s Heaven’s Law barrier, in the void.

Eight humanoid black shadows were bound by Yin and Yang Qi, currently in a daze.

Before returning, they had carefully searched and found one person of human origin who had fled into the Chaos Sea in ancient times and was playing dead – a vicious character who they also brought back under arrest.

As for those corpses, they were strictly handled according to Li Changshou’s standards, leaving not even residue.

Watching those specks of ash scattered into the Chaos Sea, Li Changshou couldn’t help but miss the days of his one-stop funeral service.

That was also his bygone youth…

At this moment, Li Changshou stood to one side with a black face, looking at the ‘silent’ great gourd in his hand. He added two more layers of Yin and Yang qi seals and directly threw them beside those eight black shadows.

The immortals didn’t understand, and Duobao even asked: “Changgen, what does this mean?”

“Interrogate them together,” Li Changshou said calmly. “If this thing doesn’t give me an explanation, today it will be treated as a traitor.”

The immortals couldn’t help but smile.

At this point, Zhao Gongming shook both hands and said with a smile:

“Please, fairy sisters step aside, and fellow Daoists who can’t bear cruel sights should also avoid this. Getting words out of them won’t be easy.”

Golden Spirit Supreme Mother gave a light snort, “Three junior sisters, let’s wait over there.”

Fairy Yunxiao, Wudang Supreme Mother, and Turtle Spirit Supreme Mother each agreed and went together with Golden Spirit Supreme Mother to a nearby void, raising a barrier to chat and drink tea.

Yellow Dragon Daoist coughed and said: “Nephew Yang Jian, don’t watch too much of this, follow your Grand Uncle Master to wait aside.”

Yang Jian lowered his head and agreed. Though he very much wanted to see how the great figures of the Dao Gate and Heavenly Court interrogated foreign demons, he couldn’t well object to Yellow Dragon Uncle Master’s good intentions at this time.

As for Yellow Dragon Uncle Master being unable to bear cruel sights…

That was truly a joke. Yellow Dragon Uncle Master had lived since prehistoric times, an Enlightenment Sect expert who came from the Three Pure Ones’ small courtyard – that famous not-open-to-public attraction on Mount Kunlun. How could he not bear cruel sights?

Quantong thought for a moment – his identity was an open secret, and he couldn’t participate in such interrogation matters. So he honestly went to the side alone, folding his arms to ‘observe the battle.’

Golden Peng and the nineteen Magic Soldiers spread out to keep watch, while several immortals from the Severing Sect who had come to join the excitement went to Yellow Dragon Daoist’s side.

Those remaining were the main force for interrogating the demons:

The Heavenly Court’s ordinary powerful minister, Star-Lord of Taibai;

The ordinary powerful minister’s retainer and Human Path’s number two mount, ancient beast commander Baize;

The Enlightenment Sect’s elegantly sociable True Lord Taiyi and deeply hidden True Lord Yuding;

The Severing Sect’s Senior Brother Duobao Daoist and the Primordial World’s semi-retired King of Ten Thousand Porcelains Zhao Gongming.

These six had both strength and intelligence, lacking no methods, and were all top figures whose words carried supreme weight.

Before withdrawing the Taiji Diagram, Li Changshou worriedly stepped forward and severely wounded each of these eight demons. Then Zhao Gongming raised the Heaven-Stabilizing Zhenzhu to suppress the local heaven and earth, while Duobao Daoist took out nine immortal ropes to bind them one by one.

They also symbolically bound the Immortal-Slaying Flying Knife.

When Li Changshou withdrew the Taiji Diagram’s power, those eight demons immediately regained consciousness.

One by one they first glared at Li Changshou, then recognized their current situation.

They had been captured.

Li Changshou asked: “Everyone, who wants to go first?”

Baize smiled and said: “This poor Daoist has an acquaintance here, why not let this poor Daoist go first?”

The immortals all approved, and Baize slowly stepped forward, walking to one black shadow. He lightly flicked his finger to break the concealment technique around it, revealing its human form appearance.

This was an arrogant person, eyes full of fierce light, with nine snake heads among the hair atop his head, each hissing.

Baize cupped his hands and smiled: “We meet again, Marshal Nine-Headed Bird.”

This ancient beast commander merely gave a cold laugh and said calmly: “Since we’ve been captured alive by you lot, this commander won’t think much about survival. If you all still count as Primordial experts, then give this commander a quick end.”

Another black shadow to the side said: “You needn’t think you’ll question anything out of us.

I can tell you directly – earlier it was Kun Peng who invited us, having us gather here, saying he would attract Heaven’s Law’s attention while we entered the Primordial World to plunder some life force to fill what we lack.

All matters are thus.

Go ahead, no need to think about humiliating us further.

Just based on the crimes we committed in our early years, you absolutely won’t give us a path to survival.”

“This…”

Baize turned his head to look at Li Changshou, then shook his head, “This poor Daoist truly isn’t very skilled at interrogation.”

Having spoken, he turned and retreated, shaking his head with emotion.

True Lord Yuding said: “If one fears not death, then one truly fears nothing.”

True Lord Taiyi transmitted: “Can’t we first give them some empty promises, let them have some hope, get them to say everything they can and can’t say, then eliminate them?”

Li Changshou said seriously: “Though such actions count as a flexible method, it ultimately means not keeping one’s word – not worth it.

Let’s kill half first, question half, see if they truly don’t fear death.”

Duobao asked: “What if important information is lost by killing this way?”

Li Changshou pondered for a few moments and looked at Yunxiao, several thoughts arose in his heart, but he temporarily suppressed them.

He had already shown too much today. If he directly arranged things further, Lord Zhao and the others would have truly come for nothing.

Hold back a bit, let them try first…

After several people communicated via thought transmission, the main interrogation team fell into difficulty.

Li Changshou mainly wanted to ask about Kun Peng’s forces and dwellings in the Chaos Sea, and how to find Kun Peng.

If they could additionally understand how many such demons were in the Chaos Sea, that would naturally be even better.

In prehistoric and ancient times, those bold enough to hide in the Chaos Sea were no simple characters.

They now knew their path led to death, and out of a subtle sense of “common hatred” righteousness, didn’t want to speak of anything concerning others. This made the interrogation work fall into difficulty before it could even begin.

Zhao Gongming said: “How about this poor Daoist lies down and tries?”

Li Changshou smiled helplessly, and Lord Zhao quickly changed the subject.

Soon, Duobao and the others decided to implement psychological tactics, each choosing a target and beginning to reason, speak of past events, trying to extract some useful information from these fellows’ mouths.

But after they busied themselves for half a day, they still had no gains and instead received some mockery from these eight demons.

Li Changshou: …

Sighing inwardly, he secretly transmitted several words to Fairy Yunxiao and Golden Spirit Supreme Mother in the distance.

Like this, and that.

“What’s going on here?”

Golden Spirit Supreme Mother came forward with furrowed brows and sword in hand, asking puzzledly.

Zhao Gongming sighed: “They each refuse to speak, and don’t fear death. We’ve gained almost nothing.”

“Where’s that cruelty you spoke of earlier?”

Golden Spirit Supreme Mother snorted and made a gesture behind her. Fairy Yunxiao, Turtle Spirit Supreme Mother, and Wudang Supreme Mother all flew over together.

Golden Spirit asked: “Changgen if you can’t question anything out of these fellows, should we just kill them directly?”

“Mm,” Li Changshou nodded, “Today we likely won’t gain much more, but eliminating these demons counts as removing a potential threat.”

Turtle Spirit Supreme Mother said: “Then let us try.”

“Oh?”

Li Changshou laughed, his gaze meeting Fairy Yunxiao’s. The tenderness in her eyes nearly melted him.

“Go ahead and try then.”

True Lord Taiyi tucked his hands in his sleeves and said with a smile: “Perhaps they’ll submit to the fairy sisters’ charm and confess everything.”

Li Changshou gave Yunxiao an encouraging look and calmly retreated a hundred zhang.

Thus, the main interrogation force retreated to the second line, leisurely anticipating the performance of the four Severing Sect fairy sisters.

These four Severing Sect fairy sisters first gathered to discuss for a while, then moved to break the concealment techniques of the eight demons, lingering before them for long.

Golden Spirit said: “I’ll choose first. I want this one, this one, and this one, is that alright?”

The other three fairy sisters had no objections, allowing Golden Spirit Supreme Mother to draw those three demons to the side.

Fairy Yunxiao made a gesture of invitation at the side and said softly: “I’ll just question three at random.”

Turtle Spirit Supreme Mother and Wudang Supreme Mother came forward, each choosing one demon and taking them to the right.

Turtle Spirit first gave a light sigh, looking at the demon before her, and sighed:

“I have no grudge with fellow Daoist. This time I’ll just send fellow Daoist on your way. Does fellow Daoist have any favorite tunes? I’m skilled at playing music, but not at questioning.”

Wudang Supreme Mother also said: “I’ll recite some scriptures for fellow Daoist, to purify the hatred in fellow Daoist’s heart.”

The male immortals behind immediately showed gratified smiles.

True Lord Taiyi, rarely without his sarcasm, sighed with emotion:

“The Severing Sect’s fairy sisters are truly gentle.”

“Naturally,” Duobao Daoist clasped his hands behind his back, carrying the glory of being the senior brother. “All junior sisters cultivate self-improvement and refinement, cultured and elegant, naturally very gentle.

Changgen, what do you say?”

“Senior Brother Duobao speaks truly.”

Just as Li Changshou’s words fell, a golden light flashed, and a Primal Golden Dipper appeared in Yunxiao’s hand. Three purple-gold light beams struck the three demons.

Her expression was cold, her form hidden in mist, her voice showing no fluctuation as she asked calmly:

“Are you all willing to speak?”

All she received were three cold snorts or cold laughs.

Yunxiao nodded slightly, turning the golden dipper in her hand. A mysterious Dao resonance spread out, and those three demons she was responsible for questioning suddenly had pure spiritual energy surging around them.

Just as these three demons’ forms trembled, their cultivation suddenly disappeared by one level, a feeling of weakness spreading from within.

Primal Golden Dipper – Return to Origin!

“You! What are you doing?”

“The Primal Golden Dipper!”

“If you want to kill then kill, why destroy our cultivation!”

“Willing to speak?” Yunxiao still asked thus, without fluctuation.

Those three demons shook violently all over, barely able to suppress their injuries. They hadn’t given any response before the Primal Golden Dipper turned again.

Each of their Dao realms dispersed several more levels!

The three demons lay powerless, their Dao realms dispersing step by step, their Great Daos slowly crumbling, like having their marrow extracted strand by strand…

If this process happened instantly, it wouldn’t be so unbearable, but now Yunxiao asked once and stripped away some of their cultivation, peeling their Dao fruit like an onion!

They had never imagined there could be such a method to make their Dao’s hearts collapse.

This was worse than killing them!

Suddenly sword light flashed on the other side, automatically drawing the immortals’ gazes.

Golden Spirit Supreme Mother held her sword, a demon beast’s head slowly flying out, beast blood floating in the void.

She advanced with her sword raised toward the remaining two demons, the corner of her mouth showing a calm smile, her eyes carrying a hint of anticipation, her sword wrapped in bloody light, her golden gauze dress unstained by any dust.

“Do you truly not fear death?”

Those two demons just laughed coldly.

In secret, a water-blue light silently bloomed, enveloping these two demons. Simultaneously, Li Changshou’s right hand secretly aimed at True Lord Taiyi.

Balance: Fear of Death!

Golden Spirit said softly: “The one who speaks later will be beheaded first.”

Without another word, her sword slashed horizontally forward!

“I’ll speak!”

“This poor Daoist…”

Two cries, one head.

Golden Spirit Supreme Mother’s sword rested at a woman’s neck, having cut in half an inch.

“Will you tell all you know?”

“I-I’ll tell all I know.”

Golden Spirit Supreme Mother nodded faintly and turned her head to call out: “Old Zhao, come ask questions. Getting you all to do anything is troublesome.”

Meanwhile, Fairy Yunxiao also turned around. Behind her, those three [True Immortal Realm] demons trembled violently all over, each clutching their heads and weeping.

Yunxiao asked softly: “What do you want to ask them? They’ve agreed to tell everything.”

Zhao Gongming: …

Li Changshou smiled calmly inside, showing Lord Zhao’s same expression.

The void was silent, except for Turtle Spirit Supreme Mother’s flute and Wudang Supreme Mother’s admonishments:

“A demon was born of a demon mother, a spirit was born of a spirit mother.

All living beings must die. Your sins are deep and you’ll hardly survive today. Why not think about how many living beings you’ve killed, how many sins you’ve committed…”

All the male immortals present shuddered together. They seemed to hear again True Lord Taiyi’s earlier sigh, their thoughts… very complicated.

[The Severing Sect’s fairy sisters are truly gentle.]